New Testament

Luke 6:45

Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.

ClearClear Bible Translation

A good person brings forth good things from the good treasure of their heart, and an evil person brings forth evil things from the evil treasure of their heart. For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Compare translations
KJVKing James Version

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

What Luke 6:45 means

Plain-English insight for readers

This verse emphasizes the connection between a person's inner character and their outward behavior. It suggests that a good person, who has a heart filled with goodness, will naturally express good things through their words and actions. Conversely, an evil person, whose heart is filled with negativity or malice, will express evil through their speech and behavior. The phrase 'out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks' highlights that what we say reflects our true inner thoughts and feelings. Therefore, our words are a direct indication of our character and values. This teaching encourages self-reflection on what fills our hearts, as it ultimately shapes our interactions with others and the world around us.

How to apply Luke 6:45 to your life

To apply this teaching, we should regularly examine what fills our hearts. Engaging in positive activities, surrounding ourselves with uplifting influences, and practicing gratitude can help cultivate a good heart. This, in turn, will lead to more positive speech and actions in our daily lives.

Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary

Explore more of the Bible

Learn the Bible through its people and places

Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

A painting of young Saul guarding the cloaks at the stoning of Stephen

Illustrated scene from Paul's story: The Stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:57–8:2)

Meet the people of the Bible

Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.

Paul

An old color photograph of Nazareth spread across a hillside in Galilee.

Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.

Explore the places of the Bible

See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.

Nazareth

The small town in Galilee where Jesus grew up.

Get full access with one subscription

Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.

See Plans

Ask AI about Luke 6:45

Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.

Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter

Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.

Keep studying Luke 6:45

At a Glance — the Book of Luke

Author
Luke the physician
Written
Around AD 60-62
Genre
Gospel and history
Original Audience
Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Luke 6:45 mean?

Luke 6:45 means that a person's true character is revealed through their words and actions. Good people express goodness because their hearts are filled with positive thoughts, while evil people express negativity due to their inner malice.

What is the meaning of 'out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks' in Luke 6:45?

The phrase 'out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks' means that what we say reflects our true feelings and thoughts. It emphasizes that our words are a direct expression of what is in our hearts.

How can I apply the message of Luke 6:45 in my life?

To apply the message of Luke 6:45, focus on filling your heart with positive influences, such as uplifting activities and gratitude. This will help you express goodness through your words and actions.

What themes are present in Luke 6:45?

The themes in Luke 6:45 include inner character, goodness versus evil, the power of speech, the significance of the heart, and the importance of self-reflection.

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.